Friday, July 18, 2008

Jesus is the true and better

"Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is imputed to us.

Jesus is the true and better Abel who, though innocently slain, has blood now that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for acquittal.

Jesus is the true and better Abraham who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go out into the void not knowing wither he went to create a new people of God.

Jesus is the true and better Isaac who was not just offered up by his father on the mount but was truly sacrificed for us. And when God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son, your only son whom you love from me,” now we can look at God taking his son up the mountain and sacrificing him and say, “Now we know that you love us because you did not withhold your son, your only son, whom you love from us.”

Jesus is the true and better Jacob who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserved, so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.

Jesus is the true and better Joseph who, at the right hand of the king, forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his new power to save them.

Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.

Jesus is the true and better Rock of Moses who, struck with the rod of God’s justice, now gives us water in the desert.

Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer, who then intercedes for and saves his stupid friends.

Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.

Jesus is the true and better Esther who did not just risk leaving an earthly palace but lost the ultimate and heavenly one, who did not just risk his life, but gave his life to save his people.

Jesus is the true and better Jonah who was cast out into the storm so that we could be brought in.

Jesus is the real Rock of Moses, the real Passover Lamb, innocent, perfect, helpless, slain so the angel of death will pass over us. He’s the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.

The Bible’s really not about you — it’s about Him, the author and perfecter of your faith"

- Tim Keller

Monday, July 14, 2008

Bluegrass Butterfield


Jon got a banjo for his birthday. And he really likes it. When it arrived, he politely thanked the UPS delivery man, kindly offered him a chocolate turtle, then napkin, because the turtle was melty, and closed the door. The following dance-of-pure-bliss-and-excitement was witnessed, sadly, only by myself. It was truly joyous.

And (which is a perfectly legitimate way to start a sentence, despite what they tell you in highshool) this is what I have discovered. I like the banjo, too. Especially Amazing Grace on the banjo. Here is why: it's the way I feel when I sing that song, wrapped up in a tone and a melody. It's twangy and honest. Unpretentious. Uncomposed. It portrays the image of how my insides must look when I sing Amazing Grace; which is barefooted and unrefined, but beautiful because of the deep deep truth being sung and the gratefulness felt that a wretch like me is saved. My soul is a banjo singing Amazing Grace.

And Jon says the final word... Feel free to make fun of me playing the banjo. Laugh it up. But we'll see who's laughing when banjos become really cool... ah... and the other thing to say is that six people were treated for lightning shock Saturday (beach, airshow, storm). The lifeguards "baywatched" their little pampered selves around the beach like their lives depended on it. But alas, I guess we all like validation of our existence. We did not get struck, but did do the electric slide for about 4 hours waiting for the sky to clear up. It didn't. I think we want to start a blues band called the blues angels. Oh, and jellyfish stings really cramp my style. Not as bad as taking the old lighting rod down the spine though. IT'S ELECTRIC - Boogey woogie woogie. Over and out.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Rebekah Butterfield... top gun

No better wingman than a wife! Yes this is the mighty T-34C Turbomentor...